Andrea C. Barnes has been named the 2012 Woman of the Year for her commitment to education and significant impact on the cultural development of Worcester County. Andrea works tirelessly to improve cultural resources for both adults and youth through her involvement with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Having retired to Ocean Pines after teaching high school English and establishing a 35-year career in real estate, Andrea was asked to join the Board of the struggling Mid-Atlantic Symphony in 2003.

With concern that the orchestra would shut down, Andrea initiated measures to improve the quality of the orchestra and to increase fund raising. Andrea’s philosophy “I have never failed in anything in my life and I am not going to start now” got her through those challenging times. Mrs. Barnes is a visionary leader who works to create collaborative opportunities between the orchestra and aspiring musicians in the form of student outreach programs.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra has grown in stature each year. The love of classical music is shared and alive today through the dedicated efforts of our Worcester County honoree Andrea Barnes